# Koehler Tutor — Koehler Illumination

> Virtual microscope simulator for learning Koehler illumination techniques. (iPhone/iPad app by Andrew Barlow.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koehler-tutor/id1281328178 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Andrew Barlow](https://appshunter.io/developer/1229786938)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English, Catalan, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish
- Released: 2017-09-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koehler-tutor/id1281328178/reviews.md

## What is Koehler Tutor?

Learn how to set Koehler illumination on any microscope.  Teach yourself, or teach others. The app simulates your microscope's controls and the images generated at the eyepieces, acting as a virtual microscope.  The locations of the controls on your microscope stand are shown, and the correct way to use them is explained.  Their effect on the image at the eyepieces is demonstrated. 
Remembering all of the steps required to set Koehler illumination can be tricky, and this app will serve as a useful reminder whenever you wish to check that the configuration of your instrument is correct. 

Setting Koehler illumination generates an evenly illuminated field of view, reduces stray light, and allows you to set the balance between resolution and contrast.

It doesn't matter if your microscope was made by Zeiss, Leica, Olympus, Nikon, or any other manufacturer, the same principles apply.

## Key features

- Virtual microscope simulation
- Simulates control effects on image
- Demonstrates correct control usage
- Useful reminder for illumination setup
- Applicable to all microscope brands

## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/koehler-tutor/id1281328178/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Зачем обманывать людей

*2023-05-05*

Это не микроскоп!!!

**Developer response:** Of course it’s not a microscope! It’s an app on your phone. It’s intended to be a tutorial in setting Koehler illumination.  Leaving a one star review for a free app is really unfair.

### 1/5 — Poor experience

*2022-09-17, version 1.15*

Purchased due to high reviews.  Could not use it at all.  Tutorial unhelpful.  Came to Goal 3 and couldn’t do anything else.  Unclear how one takes an image.  Help button doesn’t have any information just 4 steps which you cannot even complete.
To top it up accompanied with a viral button to install all sort of apps from google.  I don’t even use google.  Absolutely awful experience and now I don’t know how to get my money back.

### 1/5 — Фуууу

*2021-09-28*

Сделали лучше нормальный микроскоп!!!

**Developer response:** I work long hours in my own time to make these apps, and give them to the microscopy community for free.  I think it’s pretty mean spirited to leave a one star review for a free app.  You don’t even explain what you think the problem is.

### 3/5 — забивнушка

*2021-09-26*

ну прикольно

### 4/5 — Beautiful but limited

*2019-02-17, version 1.13*

This is a beautifully worked tutorial on setting up kohler illumination  but that is all it does. It could be a star part of a broader app on microscopy but by itself it is too limited to be worthwhile for many people. I hope the developer takes this further

### 5/5 — Playfully learning! Fantastic!

*2018-09-02*

This app is great. It lets you learn about how to do Koehler’s illumination in a great playful way, going through all the steps one by one with a nice explanation. 
Now I won’t have any excuses for bad Koehler alignment anymore ;)

### 5/5 — Excellent Tutorial

*2018-08-20, version 1.11*

Although I would prefer to see no Adverts:
This is a very effective interactive tutorial.
... Nicely done.
.
.
[reply to developer's response]

My personal preference would be see a 'paid for' option; although perhaps that puts me in a minority of one.

Frankly;  I not investigated the  economics of the advert-sponsored business model, so can offer no valid opinion.

## Frequently asked questions about Koehler Tutor

### What is Koehler Tutor?

Koehler Tutor is a free educational app that simulates microscope controls and the resulting images to teach users how to set up Koehler illumination. It acts as a virtual microscope for hands-on learning.

### How does Koehler Tutor teach Koehler illumination?

The app shows the locations of microscope controls and explains their correct usage. It then demonstrates the effect of these controls on the image seen through the eyepieces, providing a practical learning experience.

### Is Koehler Tutor suitable for all microscopes?

Yes, the principles of Koehler illumination taught by the app apply to microscopes from all manufacturers, including Zeiss, Leica, Olympus, and Nikon. The app focuses on universal principles rather than specific models.

### What are the benefits of setting Koehler illumination?

Setting Koehler illumination correctly results in an evenly illuminated field of view, reduces stray light, and helps achieve the optimal balance between resolution and contrast for clearer observation.

### What devices does Koehler Tutor support?

Koehler Tutor is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices.

### How often is Koehler Tutor updated?

The app was last updated on October 26, 2020, to version 1.15. It was originally released on September 29, 2017.

### Does Koehler Tutor have ads?

No, Koehler Tutor does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application.

### What is the age rating for Koehler Tutor?

Koehler Tutor has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including younger learners interested in science and microscopy.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.15 — 2020-10-26

App Maintenance

### 1.14 — 2020-02-03

Upgraded to Swift 5.0

### 1.13 — 2018-10-26

Dutch Version Added.

### 1.12 — 2018-10-22

Added a Dutch version

### 1.11 — 2018-06-11

Added Spanish and Catalan versions.

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## More apps by Andrew Barlow

- [Microscope Resolution](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microscope-resolution/id1229786939)
- [Birefringence](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/birefringence/id1354688131)

All apps by Andrew Barlow: https://appshunter.io/developer/1229786938

## Related topics

[wdr](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wdr)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*
